Nigeria must transition from simply gathering statistics to actively utilizing information for governance, corporate strategy, and national progress, according to Dr Olu-Young Johnson Olusegun, President of the Institute of Business Analytics of Nigeria (IBAN). Olusegun delivered this message on Thursday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during an induction ceremony that welcomed new Fellows and Associates into the professional body.
Characterizing the event as the beginning of a transformative period, the IBAN leader advocated for a nationwide adoption of empirical, evidence-driven approaches across both public administration and commercial enterprises. He explained that business analytics is a powerful tool capable of enhancing public sector governance, refining resource distribution, boosting institutional efficiency, and fostering transparency.
Addressing the newly inducted members, Olusegun charged them to maintain high ethical standards, safeguard data confidentiality, and guarantee that their professional evaluations remain impartial and grounded in verifiable facts. Furthermore, he appealed to government agencies, corporate entities, and tertiary institutions to collaborate with IBAN in cultivating analytical proficiency, advancing research, and embedding data-centric strategies into their daily functions.
The event drew a large gathering of prominent experts, scholars, members of the governing board, and other stakeholders. Notable inductees featured Adegbiji Adebayo, Registrar of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN); Professor Kareem Rasaki Olufemi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Crescent University; Dr Musa Richard, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship at D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic; and Solarin Temilola, Head of the Safety Office within the Ogun State Ministry of Environment, among others.
What did the IBAN Registrar say to the new inductees?
Speaking at the event, the IBAN Registrar, Dr ‘Bosun Sowunmi, congratulated the participants and challenged them to view their new certifications as a mandate for increased accountability, moral integrity, and societal contribution. Sowunmi advised the professionals to utilize their expertise in data science to resolve practical commercial challenges, maintain strict ethical codes, and drive institutional as well as economic advancement.
Sowunmi also reaffirmed the organization's dedication to continuous professional growth, strategic partnerships, academic research, and the advancement of ethical data practices alongside artificial intelligence. He recalled that IBAN, which officially incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2021, consistently broadens horizons for specialists to upgrade their competencies, exchange insights, and establish valuable professional networks. Concluding his remarks, the Registrar appealed to all members and partners to back the organization's overarching goal of positioning business analytics as a cornerstone for sustainable national transformation.